Combined current tap and pull chain lamp socket



Aug. 18, 1931. H SHRQDER 1,819,296

COMBINED CURRENT TAP AND PULL CHAIN LAMP SOCKET Filed Dec. 50 1925- 3 Sheets-Sheet l KIT/25727 05267;

H. A. SHRODER 3 numlfo'a 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.

COMBINED CURRENT TAP AND PULL CHAIN LAMP SOCKET Aug. 18, 1931.

Aug. 18, 1931. H. A. SHRODER 1,819,206

COMBINED CURRENT TAP AND FULL CHAIN LAMP SOCKET Filed Dec. 30, 1926 s Sheets-Sheet 5 gay 24,

If Slim/Z62;

Patented Aug 18, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY A. SHRODER, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

' CUTLER-HAMMER INC., A CORPORATION 015 DELAWARE COMBINED CURRENT TAP AND PULIl CHAIN LAMP SOCKET Application fi1ed December 30, 1926. Serial N0. 157,998.

This invention relates to a combined current tap and pull chain lamp socket.

One object is to provide a simple, inexpensive, attractive, durable and eflici'ent elec- 5 t'ricaldevice of the nature stated, embodying a plurality of live outlets for supplying branch circuits for desired purposes through the medium of readily attachable and detachable tapping plugs of standard pin-type, and a lamp socket controlled by manually operated switch mechanism whereby current may flow through the outlets at all times but to the lamp socket only upon operation of the switch mechanism. Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a combined current tap and pull chain-socket wherein the enclosin casing is formed in sections and adapted to enclose a switch mechanism designed to economize space for the sake of compactness and in which, by a specially constructed base, the switch mechanism and shell contact parts are readily assembled together prior'to disposition in the casing and whereby the sub-assembly or unit, that is, the

switch mechanism and shell contact mounted on the base, may be readily inspected and tested prior to disposition in the casing or housing. a

'Withdzhese and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion'and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit 40 or sacrificing any of the advantages of the.

. invention In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the invention.

plu with the cap removed.

terior of the same.

I the casing.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the disk clutch of the switch operating mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the combined connector plate between the posts of the switch mechanism. I

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the drum of the switch operating'mechanism.

Fig. llis an inverted plan view of the switch base.

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the attaching Fig. 13 is a perspective view of one of the plug attaching terminals.

F ig. 14 is an inverted plan view of the upper section of the casing showing the in- 7 Fig. 15 is a plan view from above showing the interior of the lower casing section.

Fig. 16 is a top plan view..of the shell contact.

Fig. 17 is a face View of the insulating material disposed between the shell contact and the switch base.

Fig. 18 is a face view ofthe clamping plate by which the shell contact and insulating material between the latter and the kswitch base may be secured to the switch ase.

Referring now more particularly to the 'accompanying drawings, the reference character A indicates generally a casing composed of upper and lower sections 20 and 21, re- Bowed, arched or inverted U-shaped main spectively, of suitable molded insulating material which are secured together in any suitable manner, one securing means residing in the employment of bolts 22 passing through the upper section 20 and fitting in screw threaded bushings 23 molded in the lower casing section 21. Pins 22 of the upper section 20 for fit in sockets 22 of the lower section 21 may be employed to assist in positioning the sections together. Each section has a substantially semi-circular outwardly projecting portion forming together a smooth annular outlet 24 for the passage of a switch pull chain 25, doing away with the usual brass outlet commonly used.

The upper casing section 20 has a reduced annular projection 26, which is embraced by the lower end of the main line attaching plug B, secured to the upper section of the casing A by means of a bolt 28, having screw threaded fit with the bushing 29 molded in the upper casing section 26. This attaching plug B includes a body portion 30, a shell portion 31 having slots 31 and 31 and a cap 32 having a projection 32 fitting in the slot'31, the shell carryingthe mainline conductor 33 having a hooked end 33* fitting in the slot 31 of the shell contact. The cap 32 carries the main line conductor 34, these conductors projecting into passages 35 and36, respectively, of the body 30 of the attaching plug B. This upper casing section 20 also has interior grooves 37 and 38 with which intersectslots 39 and 40 which intersect with the passages 35 and 36, respectively, of the attaching plug for a purpose presently explained.

The lower casing section 21 is recessed, providing a shoulder or seat 41, for the support of an insulating switch mechanism base 42 and it also has a depending hollow portion 43 i in which the screw shell contact 44 is located and secured to the base 42 by means of bolts 44 which have screw threaded connections at their lower ends with screw threaded apertures 45 of the connecting plate 46 disposed against the inner face of the top of the shell 7 contact 44. A piece of insulating material 47 is disposed between the inner end of the shell 'and the base 42 and it has apertures 48 through which said bolts 44' pass. The bottom of the shell contact 44 has a central opening 44 and the insulating sheet 47 also has a central opening:. 49 and both these openings fit around the cup terminal 50 secured to the switch base 42 by means of a suitable rivet 51. This piece of insulating material 47 also has a notch 47 b designed to expose the lamp socket line terminals 53 and 54 rise from the switch base 42 and are provided with feet 55 and secured to the base 42 by means of screws or other suitable fastenings 56 passing through the feet 55 and the base, one of these screws 56 securing the aforesaid lamp socket terminal 47 to the underside of the base 42.

These main line terminals 53 and 54 at their upper portions fit in the aforesaid grooves 37 and 38 and are provided with inwardly and upwardly directed terminal portions 57 and 58, respectively, which extend through the aforesaid slots 39 and 40, respectively, of the upper'casing section 20 and into the passages 35 and 36, respectively of the attaching plug body to electrically contact with the plug attachment terminals 33 and 34, respectively, as clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6 of the drawlngs.

An insulated post 60is disposed in the chamber 52, rising from the switch base 42, and spaced from this post 60 is a metal post 61 and having screw threaded connection at its lower end with the base 42. These two posts are connected at their upper ends by a metal strip 62 which at one end adjacent the post 61 is bent downwardly, as at 63, then outwardly, as at 64, and downwardly as at 65, the portion 65 forming a stop fora purpose presently explained The post 61 is provided with an enlargement 66 fixed thereto and rotatably mounted. on the post 61 and operating over the upper end of the enlargement 66 is a clutch disk 67 having cam surfaces 68 and 69 on its upper surface designed to co-act with the clutch teeth 70 and 71 on the lower peripheral edge of the hollow drum 72 embracing the post 61 directly over the clutch disk 67. This drum 72 is rotated by the aforesaid pull chain 25 against the influence of a spring 73, secured at its upper end to the post 61 and at its lower end to the drum 72. The pull chain 25 is secured between upper and lower fingers 74 projecting from the drum 72, and as shown these fingers 74 may result from the bifurcation of a strip of sheet metal passing through a sllt 75 1n the drum 72 and continuing around within the drum forming a support 76 to which the lower end of the spring 73 may be secured. As the pull chain 25 is pulled outwardly through the opening 24 the drum 72- is rotated on the post 61 againstthe influence of said spring 73, causing the clutch teeth 7071 of the drum to engage the respective teeth 6869 of the clutch disk 67 whereby to cause the lug 77 depending from the lower face of the clutch disk 67 to ride on the switch lever C to operate the latter. More specifically. the switch lever C is in the form of a bent lever having its bent portion 78 provided with an opening 79 emracing the aforesaid enlargement 66 of the post 61 and pivoted as at 80-81 to said enlargement. The other bent portion 82 is in throw the switch blades downwardly into enthe form of curved arms. 83 and 84 each carrying a switch blade 85 and 86, respectively, adapted to make and, break the circuit throughgthe lamp socket 44. As the result of a pull upon the chain 25, the contact blades 85' and 86 of the switch lever are connected or disconnected with terminals 87,and 88 V projecting upwardly through slots 89 and 90 in the switch base 42, the terminal 88 leading upwardly through the respective slot from the cup terminal 50 of the shell contact 44 and the terminal 87 leading upwardly through its respective slot from the underside of the base to which it. is secured by one of the screws 56 which secures one of the feet of the arched'terminal 53. When the lug 77 is at the right hand side of the pivot 81 in Fig. 3 of the drawing the lug operates to maintain the switch lever C in the position shown in the said figure, but when erence to Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings will show the end 78 of the switch lever C'elevated. A pull on the pull chain 25 causes the clutch drum 72 to rot te against the action of the aforesaid spring 7 and the cam teeth 7071 of the drum engage the teeth 6869 of the clutch disk. The continued pull on thepull chain rotates the clutch disk by reason of the clutching action of the teeth of the drum and the disk and this results in the clutch disk'carrying its lug 77 from the inner side of the pivotal connection 80-81 of the stated, rotates the drum backwardly, until the 5 upper finger 74 of thechain securing means switch lever C, to a point on the opposite side of said pivotal connection, depressing .the end 78 of the switch lever C and lifting the "switch b1ades 8586 upwardly away from the lamp socket terminals 87--88, breaking the circuit through the lamp socket. As soon as the chain 25 has efiected this operation, it is released by the operator, when the spring 73, which has been placed under tension as engages the stop on the plate 62, arresting further backward movement of the drum.

During this backward or reverse rotation of the clutch drum, the teeth of the latter slide backwardly over the upper face of the clutch disk to again present the teeth of the clutch drum in position for engagement back of the cam teeth of the clutch disk for eflective driving action with the teeth on the clutch disk. Having broken the circuit and it being now desired to make the circuit; that is to say, to

pull on the pull chain 25 rotates the clutch I drum forwardly and this shifts the clutch disk in the same manner as before and causes the lug 77, depending from the-clutch disk, to ride over the end 78 of the switchlever C from the outer side of the lever pivot 8081, to the inner side thereof, depressing the lever G and making the electrical connection by thus throwing the switch blades into co-active relation with the lamp socket terminals 87-88. Upon release of the chain by the operator the drum returns to its normal position, as before stated, without operating the switch lever, the latter being operable only upon pull of the pull chain 25.

The operation of the switch for making and breaking the circuit through the lamp socket should now be understood.

The switch blades 85 and 86 are guided in their up and down movement from and toward the terminals 87 and 88 by means of a guide between said terminals in the form of an upward extension of insulating material 91 formed with and rising from the switch base 42. The pull chain is confined between the drumand curved guide members 92 in the form of insulating material formed with and projecting upwardly from the switch ase 42.

Spring contact members 93 are secured,

one to each side of each of the aforesaid arched or bridging terminals 53 and 54 adjacent the respective slots- 94 in the rounded ends of the lower section 21 of the casing A to detachably receive the pins of standard tapping plugs whereby branch circuitsare readily established at will through the live electrical connections of the device whether or not the switch mechanism is on or ofl". v

The electrical circuit is as follows: Current passes through the main line terminal 58 and by means of the bridging portion 53 thereof to the live taps 93. From the bridging portion 53 the current flows through the screw 56 and the conducting plate 56, Fig. 11, to the switch blade 90, then through the switch plate C and'switch blade 89 to contact 50.

From the contact 50 the current flows thrgugh the lamp carried in the socket 44 and returns through this shell 44, late 47 a and the screw securing the same to t e base 42" to the main line terminal '57 and live taps on bridging portion 54 of the main line. terminal 57.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a combined device embodying live outlets and a manually operated lamp socket is provided of Bakelite or other insulating material. It

will be seen also that by reason of the inverted U-shaped main line terminals 53 and 54 and their bridging or spanning relation with the switch, I am enabled to economize space incident to compactness of arrangement afforded by this form of terminals 53-64.

lVhat I claim is:

1. A multiple tap socket, comprising a casing provided with a switch chamber, an attaching plug having main wire line terminals, a lamp socket having lamp terminals, a switch mechanism in the chamber, and a pair of arched main line conductors bridging the switch mechanism and electrically connected to the latter and to the attaching plug and to the lamp socket terminals.

2. A multiple tap socket, including a switch chamber, a switch in the chamber including a pivoted lever, a lamp socket in the tap, inverted U-shaped main line terminals bridging the switch and electrically connected with the latter and with the lamp socket, a plurality of detachable taps having electrical connection with said inverted U-shaped terminals whereby current may flow through the taps at all times but to the lamp socket only upon operation of the switch.

3. A multiple tap socket comprising a body of insulating material having a chamber, a switch mounted in the chamber, main line terminals located in said chamber and straddling the switch and electrically connected to said switch, a lamp socket in the tap socket controlled by the switch, and a plurality of permanently live taps communicating with the said main line terminals, whereby current may flow through the taps at all times but to the lamp socket only upon operation of the switch. g

4. Amultiple tap socket, comprising a base, a post of insulating material on the base, a second post on the base, terminals on the base, a switch lever bent intermediate its ends with one end provided with no opening embracing the second mentioned post and pivoted thereto and at its other end provided with curved arms embracing the first mentioned post and having terminals to contact with the terminals on the base, a lamp socket provided with terminals, and a clutch mechanism operable to move the switch lever on its pivot to make and break the circuit between the switch and the lamp socket.

5. In a multiple tap socket, a body of insulating materialcomposed of sectional parts and having an internal chamber, a switch base of insulating material mounted in said chamber, a lamp socket disposed under the switch base and provided with terminals, terminals rising from said base, a post rising from the base, a switch lever pivotally connected to said post and having terminals for co-action with the terminals whichrise from the base, a clutch device rotatably mounted on the post and including a projection adapted to contact with the switch lever to depress the same to make or break the switch lever connection with said terminals which rise from the base, a pull chain for rotating the clutch device, a spring to reverse rotation of one of the elements of the clutch device when the chain is released, and means to arrest return movement of said rotatable element of the clutch device under the influence of said spring.

6. A multiple tap socket, comprising an insulating body provided with a switch chamber, a switch within said chamber, an attaching plug tapped into said body and including main line terminals, arched main line terminals located in the chamber and brid ing the switch mechanism, and electrically connected to the main line terminals of the attaching plug, a lamp socket having electrical connection with the switch mechanism, the switch mechanism including a pivotally mounted switch lever, means operable to depress the switch lever on one side of its pivot to make the circuit between the switch mechanism and the lamp socket and also operable to depress the lever on the opposite side of its pivot to break the circuit between the switch mechanism and the lamp socket, and terminals having connection with the main line terminals located in the switch chamber, whereby plugs may be tapped into the electric circuit and whereby current may flow through the plugs tapped into the circuit at all times but to the lamp socket only upon closing of the switch.

7. A multiple tap socket, comprising a body 0t insulating material provided with a plurality of tap sockets and with a lamp socket and having a switch chamber, a switch mounted within said chamber, an attaching plug connected to said body and provided with terminals, arched main line terminals located in the switch chamber and bridging the switch and having electrical connection with the terminals of the attaching plug and electrically connected to said switch and to the lamp socket, terminals permanently connected with the arched main line terminals, the body having openings whereby plugs pro.- vided with pins may enter the switch chamber for electrical contact with the terminals on the arched main line terminals whereby to provide live taps communicating with the said main line terminals, and a device. operable to actuate the switch to cause current to flow through the lamp socket.

8. A multiple tap socket, comprising a switch chamber, a switch within the chamber including a pivoted lever, main line terminals of inverted U-shape located in saidchamber and electrically connected with said switch and bridging the latter, a lamp socket in the tap socket controlled by the switch, terminals connected with the said inverted U-shaped terminals to provide for the application of tapping plugs of standard pin-type to establish permanent live taps whereby current may flow through the taps at all times but to the lamp socket only upon operation of the switch, and means including a clutch device operable in the chamber upon the switch to make and break the circuit between the switch and the lamp socket.

9. In a multiple tap socket, a body of insulating material composed of sections determinals and having electrical connection,

with the switch mechanism, the body having an opening leading from the chamber, and

means for actuating the switch mechanism including a clutch device and a pull, chain, the

latter extending through said opening in the body. I i 10. A multiple tap socket. including a body'of insulating material formed in sections detachably connected togetherand having an internal switch chamber, a lamp.

socket provided with terminals, one of the' sections of the body having a seat, a switch base mounted on the seat, terminals rising from the base, a post rising from the base, a

switch lever pivotally mounted intermediate 1ts ends on said post and at one end having blades for co-action with the terminals which rise from the base, a disk rotatably mounted on said post above said lever and on its upper faceprovided with clutch teeth and on its lower face provided with a lug adapted to ride on the switch lever, a drum rotatably p body of insulatmg material composed of dey mounted on the post and having clutch teeth for co-action with the clutch teeth of the clutch disk, a spring connected with the drum to maintain it in normal position, and means whereby to rotate the drum to cause its teeth to co-act with the teeth of the clutch disk to rotate the latter in one direction with the,

drum to cause the lug of the clutch disk to ride on the switch lever from one side to the other side of the pivot-of said lever so as to throw the blades of the switch lever into and out of co-active relation-with the terminals which rise from the base and thereby make and break the fiow of current through the switch mechanism to the lamp socket terminals.

' 11. A multiple tap socket comprising a body of insulating material composed of separable parts and having an internal chamber, an attaching plug connected with the body and provided with terminals, a switch base located within the chamber, a lamp socket shell contact and its parts connected with the base,'terminals rising from the base and having electrical connection,

with the shell contact, a switch lever pivotally mounted on the base and having blades for co-action with the switch base terminals,

main line terminals in the chamber supported by said base and electrically connected with the switch lever and the terminals of the I attaching plug, terminals connected to said chamber terminals for cooperation with terminals of tap plugs whereby to provide for a plurality of live taps communicating with the main line terminals, and means to shift the switch lever on its pivot to throw the switch lever blades into and out of con-v tact with the base terminals to make and break thecircuit between the main line terminals and the lamp socket terminals. 7

'12. A multiple. tap socket, comprising a body composed of insulating material and having an internal chamber, an attaching plug connected with the body and provided with terminals, a switchbase located in the chamber, a lamp socket connected with the 'body' and having terminals, a switch lever pivotally mounted on said base and having breakable electrical connection with the lam socket, inverted U-shaped main line terminals in said chamber bridging the sw1tch' lever and electrically connected with the latterand with the attaching plug terminals,

terminals onthe inverted U-shaped main line terminals, the. body having passages to receive pin-type plugs for detachable connection with the last mentioned terminals, and means including a clutch device having a projection adapted to ride on the switch lever from one side of its pivot to the other side thereof to operate the lever and make and break the circuit between the main line terminals and the lamp socket.

13. A multiple tap socket, comprlsmg a tachable sections, each section being hollow to form a switch chamber when assembled, the lower section having an internal seat and openings in its sides, the upper section having spaced grooves and a passage mtersectm each groove, a switch base mounted on sai seat, a switch mechanism mounted on said base and including a lever having blades,

126 main line inverted U-shaped terminals nection of detachable pin-type plugs with the mainline terminals through the slots in the lower body section, switch blade terminals connected to the base for co-action with the switch lever blades, one being electrically connected with one of the lamp socket terminals and the other being connected with one of the main line inverted U-shaped terminals, and means for throwing the lever blades into and out of contact with the switch blade terminals to make or break the circuit between the switch and lamp socket.

14. A multiple tap socket, comprising a body composed of insulating material and having an internal chamber, an attaching plug detachably secured to the body and provided with terminals, a lamp socket provided with terminals, a switch base in said chamber, a post rising from said base, a switch lever pivotally mounted on said post and provided with switch blades, inverted U-shaped main line terminals having feet disposed on the base, fastening devices passing through the base and feet of the main line terminals to secure the latter to the base, one of said fastening screws securing one of said lamp socket terminals, switch blade terminals secured to the underside of the base and passing upwardly through the base for co-action with the aforesaid switch blades, one of said switch blade terminals being secured to the base under one of the lamp socket terminals and the other blade terminal being secured to the base by one of the fastening screws for one of the feet of one of the inverted U-shaped main line terminals, and means for moving the switch lever on its pivot to move the switch blades into and out of contact with the switch blade terminals.

15. A multiple tap socket, comprising a base, a post of insulating material on the base, a second post on the base, terminals on the base, a switch lever having one end embracing the second mentioned post and pivoted thereto and at its other end provided with arms disposed adjacent the first mentioned post and having terminals to contact with the terminals on the base, a member connecting said posts and having a projection forming a stop, a lamp socket provided with terminals, a device operable to move the switch lever on its pivot to make and break the circuit between the switch and lampsocket, and means to return said device to normal position, said stop arresting the return movement of said device.

16. A multiple tap socket, comprising a base, a post of insulating material on the base, a second post on the base, terminals on the base, a switch lever embracing one of the posts and pivoted thereto and provided, with arms disposed adjacent the other post, said arms having terminals to contact with the terminals on the base, a connection between said posts provided with an extension forming a stop, a lamp socket provided with terminals, a device operable to move the switch 

